NFL reinstates Steelers WR Martavis Bryant after year-long suspension

On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters he expected that receiver Martavis Bryant would be reinstated by the NFL by the regular-season opener.

On Friday, the NFL made Colbert an honest man, announcing that it has reinstated Bryant to take part in regular-season practices and games.

Bryant, a fourth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2014, was suspended for the entire 2016 season for multiple violations of the league policy on substance abuse. Unlike players who are suspended under the performance-enhancing drug policy, players suspended for substance abuse are allowed to be around their team off the field, though they aren’t allowed to take part in practices and games.

Bryant was conditionally reinstated earlier this year, and in August received the thumbs-up to take part in training camp practices. NFL Network reported last month that Bryant had to continue attending mandatory counseling sessions as a condition of full reinstatement.

In his first two seasons, Bryant, listed at 6-foot-4, totaled 76 catches for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns.